US2278544A - Ammunition feeding device - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 1942. C E. GASKILL ET Al. 2,278,544

AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVIQE A Filed June 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 www?, 0 4 9 4Z 5l ATTORNEYS April `7, 1942. c. E. GAsKlLL ET AL 2,278,544

` AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE Filed June 29,. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Elgin. A u D@ Figi fg 252m ff lill/1111111 97 INVENTOR 5 C11. RE/vc: E Gn .Sx/1. L

BYHQRVEY d. HACK/wmv "Patented Apr. 7, i942.

2,278,544 .annunnr'rjron rename nevica Clarence E. Gasklll, Mason, and Harvey .F.'Hackman, Kings Mills, Ohio, assignors to Remington Arms (lonzipany,- Inc., a corporation of Del- Application June 29, 1940, Serial No. 343,142

18 Claims.

-shells is operated through direct contact 'of the individual shells, to the end that such device is always in the correct position to give the proper sequence, whether the shot shells ow from the loader intermittently or en masse. It is a further object to provide indexing means, which is in the form of a gravity-operated diverting lever, arranged to have relatively frictionless oscillatory movement into its. two operative positions through the weight and movement of the individual shot shells dropping'into cooperative engagement therewith.

A further object is to provide, a mechanism whereby the shot shells may be released in pairs in the event that there is any congestion on the track leading to the packaging apparatus, and

` which will continue to release the shot shells in pairs as long as the congestion continues, without -the necessity forstopplngEthe iiow of the shot shells from the. loader. As a consequence the vshells through the indexing part of the device being shownin dot-and-dash lines, and the open positionof the door normally closing the front of the shell diverting passages being shown in dot-and-dash lines.

.Fig 2 isa fragmentary rear elevation of the upper section of the device. Fig. 3is a side elevation, the upper portion of the feeding hopper being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, the lower portion of the feeding hopper being shown in horizontalv section along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional-view taken along the staggered line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the staggered line 6-6 of Figf 1, and showing several of the shot shells in their positions during' normal passage through the machine. v

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line l-l of Fig. 6, the several I shot shells as shown in Fig. 6 being removed proper heads-tails sequence of the shells, with the brass ends alternately arranged in reversed relation, will be maintained. 1

Another object is to provide anindexing del vice which is capable of adjustment to accomhowever.

Fig. 8 is a vfragmentary vertical sectional view showing the operation of the releasing mechanism during congestion of the passage of the shot shells on the track to the packaging apparatus.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several guresof the drawings.

Referringv to the drawings, the supporting frame of'the machine4 consists of a pair of vertical standards Ill-II), provided at their lower ends with` right angularly bent bases Il- II which may be suitably anchored to the oor, and

' having supported for vertical adjustment upon their upper ends a rectangular vertically disposed modate shot shells of varying diameters and i lengths, without any alteration or substitution in the parts, so that one standardized type of machine ma'y be economically manufactured in quantity and through proper adjustment the individual machines may be adapted for use in connection with loaders producing different sizes of `shot shells. Y

With the above and other objects in view, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In, the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of an indexing device, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, the course of the shot 55 plate I3, secured to the standards by means of bolts I4 engaged through slots I5 in the standards and which permit of limited vertical adjustment of the plate relative to the standards.

At the upper end of the plate I3 thereA is se-- cured upon its rearward face an angular bracket member I6, the vertical portion of which'is secured to the plate for limited vertical adjustment by means of bolts Il screwed into the plate Ill and engaged through slots I8 in the bracket, and the horizontal portion of which projects fore wardly in spaced relation-above the upper edge of the plate I3, where it is provided with a ver-` tically disposed passage I9. Upon this horizontal portion of the bracket I6 there is mounted the shot shell feeding hopper 20 having/at its lower end a pair of outwardly bent foot portions 2I-2I secured tofthe bracket I6 by means of bolts 22--22. This hopper iscontracted at its lower tion of the machine. 32 are curved downwardly and outwardly in di- 2 portion to provides. passage for the individual vertical gravity feeding of the shot shells A downwardly with their brass flanged ends A1 disposed downwardly, this being the arrangement in which they iiow from the loader. The upper enlarged portion of the hopper is curved into line with the downwardly linclined guideway feeding the is provided in centralized relation along the vertical center line of the plate a substantially circular block member 25, secured to the plate by screws 28-26, and in the front face of whichthere is provided a vertical slot 21 in' which a shot shells from the loader, this guideway. being' formedbyrods 23 secured at their lower ends .bearing bracket bar 2l is secured by. means of screws 23-28, the upper end of this bracket bar projecting above the upper end of the block and being provided with a bearing 30 for the forward end of the shot shell diverting index lever member 3|. 'I'his index lever member consists of a vertically disposed upwardly projecting central arm 32 arranged to be swungto and frofbetween its two operative positions as Ashown by the fulland dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1, to constitute the respective entrances tothe left and right passages through the shell reversing por- The side walls of the -arm verging relation and merge into the upper curved A surfaces of a pair oi' outwardly curved side arms 33-33. The hubl, portion' of the index lever member 3| is secured to a horizontal shaft 34 by means of a set, screw 35, the forward end of this shaft being engaged for free turning'move'- ment in the bearing 30 of the bracket bar 28, and

its rearward end extending through a bearing 36 in the plate I3, where it is provided at the rearward side of the plate I3 with a segmental movement limiting and counterbalance member 31, the hub of fwhich is secured to the shaft by a cross pin 38. The oscillatory movement of this counterbalance member is limited by adjustable stop screws 39-39 mounted in a bracket bai" 40 secured to the rearward side of the plate I3 by means of screws 4|-4-I. Through vertical adjustment of the stop screws 39-39 the extent of the oscillatory movement of the index levermember 3| may be regulated, as desired, this adjustment being mainly for the purpose of accommodating the machine to various diameters of shot shells, increase or decrease in the extent of the swing of the upper end of the arm 32 increasing or decreasing the width ofthe entrances to the right and left shot shell diverting passages. The counterbalance member 31 constitutes an over-center weight which retains the index lever member 3| in either of its operative positions by gravity, the lever member being moved to an over-center position through the weight and movement oi the shot shells, as will presently more fully appear.

At each side of the index lever member 3|, and the block 25, there is provided a wall member 42, the upper'portion of which is inclined downwardly and outwardly in outwardly spaced relation to the lever member 3| and the lower portion of which is curved downwardly and inwardly in outwardly spaced relation to the block member 25. the upper vertical end portions I3-43 of these wall members being respectively secured as by welding, to angular brackets 44--44 mounted for horizontal adjustment upon the plate I3 b y means of bolts 45-45 Vengaging@ois as-Is 1nthe respective brackets, andthe lower' verticalend portions 41 being similarly secured to angular brackets 48-48 mounted for horizontal ad- 'having right and left shot shell diverting passages at the respective sides of the index lever -member 3| and block 25 through which the shot shells ow downwardly from the hopper and pass alternately through the rightv and left passages, as will presently be more fully explained.

y The passages through the indexing chamber are normally closed at the front by means of an apertured frame` like door member 5|, substantiallycorresponding to the general shape of the passages, this door member being hingedly mounted at one vertical edge by means of a hinge connection 52 supported upon an angular hinge bracket 53 secured, to the rearward side of the plate I3 by means of screws 54. At the other vertical edge the door member is provided with a catch handle 55 releasably engaged by a springv catch member 56 secured to one side of the plate member I3 by means of screws 51. 'I'his door member is shown in dot-and-dash'lines in Fig. 1 in its open position to permit free access to the passages. y 1

As the shot shells flow 'downwardly from the hopper they alternately pass through the diverging right and left passages as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines. As shown in the illustration one shot shell is moving downwardly through the right hand passage having first engaged the index lever member 3| with the latter in the position shown indot-and-dash lines, causing this lever to swing in clockwise direction to the full line position through the weight and movement of the shot shell. -During this movement the lower flanged brass capped end A1 of the shot shell engages the upper end of the arm 32 and then moves downwardly along the concavel'y curved surface to the lower end of the arm 33, the upper portion of the shot shell following in this movement. As the shot shell reaches the point where its weight overbalances the overcenter weight of the index lever member the latter swings from the dot-and-dash line position to the full line position, the shot shell continuing its movement downwardly around the block member 25 and being guided by the side wall 42,

. so that its brass end is projected across the lower stantially about the point of contact of the brass end of the shot shell with the shoulder portion 41 as a fulcrum, so that this shot shell has its flanged brass end at the left. The following shot shell flowing downwardly from the hopper moves downwardly through the left hand passage in the same manner, the index lever member 3| in its position as indicated in full lines constituting an entrance guide to this left hand passage. The brass capped end of this shot shell strikes the opposed right hand vertical shoulder portion 41, as indicated by the arrow, the shot shell swinging downwardly into horizontal position to drop through the exit end of the chamber with its flanged brass end at the right. This sequence continues as long as the shot shells flow from the loader.

Directly below an l extending forwardly from the exit end of the indexing chamber there is provided the part of the device which guides the alternately reversed shot shells to the track leading to the packaging apparatus, and in which there is provided the over-flow'release means which in the event of an impedence in the normal flow of the shot'shells to the packaging apt paratus releasesthem in pairs so that upon resumption of the normal ow, the heads-tails sequence of the shot shells is not interrupted.

fs partof the device consists of a fixed block mem fr 58, directly below the exit end of the indexing chauber, secured to the forward face of the plate I3 by means of bolts 599-59, the upper face of this block member' being inclined downwardly and forwardly and rounded at its foryard edge. The lower face of the block member 58 is also inclined forwardly and downwardly but at a slightly smaller degree than the inclination of the upper face, and there is mounted upon the plate I8 below the block member 58 and in engagement with its lower face a pair of forwardly projecting block members 68-60 which are secured to the plate I3 for horizontal adjustment by means of bolts 8I-8I a rewed into the respective block members 80-80 and engaged through horizontal slots 62-62 in the plate I8. The block members GII- 60, as seen clearly in Fig. '7, extend outwardly beyond the side edges of the `block member 58 and are. respectively provided with downwardly offset recessed passages 83-63 outwardly of the block member 58, these passages being for the purpose of providing a freeway for the flanged brass ends A1 of the shot shells A, the intermediate cylindrical portions of the shot shells rolling downwardly upon the inclined upper surface of the block members 60-88 between the recessed passages 63C Upon each block member 60 there is secured a side wall member 64 having at its inner face a bearing plate 65 for engagement by the anged brass ends of the shot shells. the side wall member and the plate member G5 being rigidly secured to the-block member by a pair of bolts (i6-66. The side wall members 6I are of i1'- regular shape and extend above the block member 68 at their rearward portions, their forward portions being of stepped formation to provide bearing supports projecting forwardly of the forward ends of the block members 60. The

bearing plates 65 are also of irregular shape,

their upper edges extending in parallel spaced relation along the recessed passages 63 and then extending downwardly and forwardly at -the forvelocity, so that as they roll down the inclined surfaces 'of the blocks 68 they are maintained in parallel and separated relation, each gate as it clears one shell immediately dropping behind it so thatit is interposed between this shell and the successive shell.

In forwardly spaced relation to the forward ends of the block members 80 there are provided a pair of vertically disposed abutmentA plate members I5-15 provided respectively with angular attaching bracket portions 18--18 secured for horizontal adjustment upon the side wall members 64 by means of screws 11-11 engaging slots 18-18 in the respective bracket portions, these abutment members constituting a forward wall for the vertical passage through which the shot shells drop downwardly as they leave the forward edge of the block members 68. the bottom of this vertical passage is a trap-door platform member y19 provided centrally at its rearward edge with en upwardly projecting bearing ear80 engaged upon a transverse rock shaft 8I rotatably mounted in bearing passages 82 formed in the block members 80, a head 83 being provided at one end disposed at the outer side of one of the side wall members ,8l-and the other end being provided with an adjustable collar 84 ldisposed at the outer side. of the other side wall member 8l. The ear 80 is adjustably secured upon the* shaft 8l by means of a set screw 85, and the collar 84 is adjustably secured by means of a set screw 86, so that upon relative lateral adjustment of the side wall bearing members, to accommodate the machine to different lengths or sizesof shot shells, the platform may be properly adjusted into centralized position between themlY Upon theouter end of the rock shaft 8l there is mounted the hub 81 of a screw threaded coun'- ter-weight supporting shaft 88 projecting from the shaft in the opposite direction from the trapdoor platform member 19, the hub 81 being seward end of the .block members G0 to follow the the side wall members 8l and beingr provided respectively at one end with heads 1I and 1,2 and at the other endwith adjustable collars ,13 and 1I. These gate members, which normally hang vertically, are engaged by the shot shells as they roll from the block member 58 along the block members 60, and through engagement with the cylindrical surfaces thereof tend to maintain them in parallel relation and to retard their cured to the shaft by means of a set screw 89. A counter-weight 90 is adjustably engaged upon the shaft 88, its adjusted position being xed by means of lock nuts 9I and 92. This counterweight normally, supports the trap door platform member 19 in its normal shell supporting posi-A tion. as shown in Fig. 6, which position is determined by a stop screw 93 adjustably mounted in an angular bracket 94 secured upon the standard Ill by means of a bolt 95, the adjusted position of the screw 93 being iixed by means of a lock nut 96.

The forward end of the trap door platform member 19 is normally disposed slightly above and adjacent the end of an inclined `traclrway consisting of a pair of angular supporting members 91--91 which are respectively secured to the inner sides of the forward end portions of the side wallmembers 6B by means lof Aangular brackets 98 secured by bolts 99. Upon the upper surfaces of the track members 91 there are secured strip members IIlIl-Illll which are spaced from the side walls of the track members to provide recessed passageways in which the flanged brass ends A1 of the shot shells move, the strip members supporting the cylindrical intermediate` portions of the shells.

Forwardly of the abutment wall member 15 there is provided a freely swinging gate member IUI having its shaft |02 journaled for free rotary movement in the side wall members 6l, the shaft being provided at one end with a head |03 `and at its other end with an adjustable co1- Forming lar |94. This gate member controls the passage between the trap door platform member 19 and the inclined trackway to dispose the shot shells in parallel relation as they move from the platform member to the trackway and to retard their velocity.

Aninclined chute consisting of a pair of angle iron members IE5-|05 is supported from the side wall members 64 by means of angular .bracket members |06| 06 which are secured by the same bolts 99 which secures the bracket members 98. The angle iron members |05 are respectively pro). vided with stripmembers IOT-|01 spaced from the side walls so as to provide recessed passages for the flanged brass ends of the shot shells. This chute member has its upper end disposed beneath the trap door platform member 19 and is adapted to convey pairs of shells which are released by the trap door platform member, as will presently more fully appear, to a suitable receptacle.

During the normal operation of the machine the shot shells roll along the inclined block members 58 and 60 in alternately reversed or headstails sequence and in separated relation to each other, dropping from the end of the block member 60 upon the platform 19 and thence rolling onto the inclined track 91 which 'conveys them to the packaging apparatus. `The counterbalance 90 for the trap-door platform member 19 is so adjusted that the` platform will support the weight of one shot shell but will not support the weight of two shot shells. Consequently when there is an impedence in the flow of the shot shells along the trackway for any cause, and which causes them to accumulate up to the gate 10|, as shown in Fig. 8, the next shot shell falling upon the platform 19 is not permitted to roll clear of it on to the track before another shot shell drops off the end of the block members 60, and thus the combined weight of two shot shells is imposed upon the platform memberoverbalancing the counterbalance 90 and causing the platform member to open downwardly torelease the two shot shells. The trap door platform immediately closes as the released pair lof shot shells roll clear, and as long as the conwardly tothereby decrease or increase the width` of thel passages through the indexing chamber,

and upon completion of the adjustment are tightened to .secure the collars and ear in their adjusted positions. The swing of the index lever member 3| is also adjusted to decrease or increase the Width of the entrances to the right and left passages through the indexing chamber, as desired. The width of the vertical passage above the trap-door platform member 19 may be adjusted to accommodate different diameter shot shells by loosening the screws 11-11 and horizontally adjusting the wall members 15--15 forwardly or backwardly, as desired.

The form ofthe invention illustrated in'the drawing and described herein is typical and illustrative only, and it is evident that the invention is capable of embodiments in other forms, all falling within the scope of the appended claims, which are to be broadly construed.

What is claimed is:

l. An indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in slde-by-side heads-tails sequence, comprising a feeding hopper having a dethe adjusted position being xed by tightening the bolts 45 and 49. The part of the device for guiding the shot shells to the `packaging appalivery end to feed said articles singly in end-toend arrangement, an index chamber having side walls and an entrance end arranged to receive said articles from said hopper and an exit end adapted to deliver said articles, said chamber having left and right passages diverging outwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end to arrange the articles in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, positive automatic index means in said chamber for alternately diverting said articles into said left and right passages, and guide means arranged to receive said articles from said chamber in said side-by-side heads-tails sequence.

2. An indexing device for disposing larticles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, comprising a feeding hopper having a lower delivery end to feed said articles singly in end-to-end vertical arrangement, an index chamber having side walls and an upper entrance end arranged to vreceive said articles vertically from said hopper and a lower exit end adapted to dedelivery end to feed said articles singly in endto-end arrangement, an index chamber having side walls and an entrance end arranged to receive said articles from said hopper and an exit end adapted to deliver said articles, said chamber havingv left and right passages diverging outwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, index means in said chamber for alternately diverting said articles into said left and right passages, inclined track means arranged to receive said articles from said chamber in .side-by-side heads-tails y sequence, and la weight releasable article supporting means arranged between said chamberand said track means, adapted to receive and support said articles singly in their transition to said track means, and being releasable upon the Y ed through adjustment Y disposed arm is alternately moved imposition thereon of weight in excess of a. single article, whereby said articles are released in pairs during impedance or the iiow of the articles on said track means.

4. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls, an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and a single lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, said chamber having left and right passages diverging downwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, and index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and iro movement respectively to the right and leit of said entrance end to constitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and right passages. 5. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls, an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and alower exit end adapted to deliver saidv articles horizontally, said chamber having left and'right passages diverging downwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and fro movement respectively said entrance end to constitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and right passages, and

adapted to be moved to and fro through the successive engagement .of said articles therewith, and adjustable stop means arranged to limit the oscillatory movement of said index means, adaptto vary the extent of movement of said entrance guide.

6. In an indexing device for disposing articles to the right and left of,

lil

such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails chamber having side walls,

' an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles ve ically and a single lower exit end adapted to Veliver said articles horizontally, said chamberdha'ving left and right passages diverging-downwardly from said entrance end and con verging inwardly toward said exit end, an oscillatory index lever member mounted in said cham-- ber having v a centrally disposed arm portion adapted to be oscillated respectively to the right and left of said entrance end to constitute an entrance guide respectively for said lett and right passages, and having downwardly extending diverging side arm portions adapted to be engaged by the articles to impart oscillatory movement to said index lever member .whereby said centrally ,over center to the right and left through the successive engagement of said articles with said respective side arms.

7. In an indexing device for disposing articles such, as shot shells in side-by-side` heads-.tails sequence, an

articlesvertically and a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, said chamber having left and right passages 'diverging downwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardlytoward said exit end, the side wall at each side of said exit end constituting an abutment opposed to the lower` end of the passage respectively at the opposite side of said chamber, and index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and iro movement respectively to the right and-left of said entrance end tol constitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and index chamber having side walls@ lan upperv entrance end adapted to receive said right passages, and adapted to be moved to and fro through the successive engagement of said articles therewith.

8. In an indexing device for disposing articles -such as vshot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,

`an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and a lower exit end adapted -to deliver said articles horizontally, said chamber having left iand right passages diverging Ydownwardly from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, the side wall at each side of .said exit end constituting an abutment opposed to the lower end of the passage respectively at the opposite side of said chamber, and index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and fro movement respectively to the right and left of said entrance end to constitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and right passages, and adapted to be moved to and iro through the successive engagement of said articles therewith, the article iiow lines from said respective passages to said opposed abutments being at acute angles to said horizontal exit end and intersecting each other at a point centrally above said .exit end.

9. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber comprising a vertical support member, a pair of laterally spaced side wall members adiustably mounted on said support member for lateral adjustment toward and away from each other, the upper spaced ends of said side wallV members constituting an'upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and their lower spaced ends constituting a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, said side wall members diverging downwardly from said entranceend and converging inwardly toward said exit end to provide left and right passages, an index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and fro movement respectively to the right and left of said entrance end to constitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and right passages.

10. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence. an index chamber having side walls and an upper entrance end shaped-to receive said articles vertically, said chamber having left and right passages diverging from said entrance end and converging inwardly toward said exit end, index means movably mounted in said chamber for to and fro movement respectively to the right and left of said entrance and to constitute an entrance guide respectively for said left and right passages; and a movable closure member removably engaged with the forward side of said index chamber and constituting the front walls of said passages.

l1. In an indexing device for disposing articles such asv shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence,'an index chamber having side walls, an

nreans disposed in the path of said articles moving thereon to be swingingly moved by said articles to permit their passage, said gate means being spaced to receivev a single article between them and whereby the articles are maintained in spaced parallel relation during their movement along said guide means and their velocity is retarded.

12. In an indexing device for disposing articles.

an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and a lower exit end adapted to deliver saidarticles horizontally, index means said articles in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence, downwardly extending passage means l in communication at its upper end with the end o1' said guide means to receive said articles singly, inclined track means communicating with the lower end of said downwardly extending passage means arranged to receive said articles in sideby-side heads-tails sequence, and inclined weight releasable article supporting means constituting the bottom ofA said downwardly extending passage means and arranged contiguous to said inclined track means adapted to receive and support said articles singly in their transition to said track means, and being releasable upon the imposition thereon 'of weight in excess of a single article whereby said articles are released in pairs during impedence of the iiow of the articles on said track means.

13. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side headstails sequence, an index chamber having side walls, an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally,` index means in said chamber adapted to alternately invert said articles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receive said articles in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence, downwardly extending passage means in communication at its upper end with the end of said guide' means to receive said articles singly, inclined track means communicating with the lower yend of said downwardly extending passage means arranged to receive said articles in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, and inclined weight releasable article in. said chamber adapted to alternately invert said articles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side head-tails sequence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receive said articles in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails sequence, downwardly extending passage means in communication at its upper end with the end of said guide means to receive said articles singly, inclined track means communicating with the lower end of said downwardly extending passage means arranged to receive said' articles in side-by-slde heads-tails sequence, horizontally adjustable wall means opposed to the end of said guide means constituting the forward wall of said downwardly extending passage means and adapted through adjustment to vary the width of said passage means, and inclined weight releasable article supporting means constituting the bottom of said downwardly extending passage means and arranged contiguous to said inclined track means adapted to receive and support said articles singly in their transition to said track means,- and being releasable upon the imposition thereon of weight in excess of a single article whereby said articles are released in pairsduring impedance of the flow-of the articles on said track means.

l5. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,l

an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically and a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, index means in said chamber adapted to alternately invert supporting means constituting the bottom of said downwardly extending passage means' and arranged contiguous to said inclined track means adapted to receive andv support said articles singly in their transition to said track means, and being releasable upon the imposition thereon of weight in excess of a single article whereby said articles are released in pairs during impedance of the iiow of the articles on said track means, said releasable article supporting means comprising a horizontal rock-shaft, a platform member secured to said rock-shaft extending in one direction, an adjustable counterweight member secured to said rock-shaft extending in the opposite direction, and adjustable stop means arranged to support said counterweight member in a predetermined position.

14. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls,

said articles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side head-tails sequence, inclined .guide means arranged below said chamber to receive said articles in horizontal side-by-side` heads-tails sequence, downwardly extending `passage means in communication at its upper end with the end of said guide means to receive said articles singly, linclined track `means communieating with the lower end of said downwardlyAA extending passage means arranged to receive said articles in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, 'inclined weight releasable article supporting means constituting the bottom of said downwardly extending passage means and arranged contiguous to said inclined track means adapted to receive and support said articles singly in their transition to said track means, and being releasable upon the imposition thereon of weight in excess of a single article whereby said articles are released in pairs during impedance of the ow of the articles on said track means, and a freely swinging vertically disposed gate member parallel to the width of said track .means disposed in ther path of said articles moving from'sald l weight releasable supporting means to said'track means to be swingingly moved by said articlesto permit their passage. y

' 16. In an indexing device lor disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, an index chamber having side walls, an upper entrance end adapted to receive said artireceive said articles vertically, and a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally and in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, positive automatic index means in said chamber adapted to alternately divert said articles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side headstails sequence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receive said articles in horizontal side-b'y-side heads-tails sequence com-A prising a pair of members, and means mounting said members on said support for horizontal adjustment movement toward and away from each other to vary the width of said guide means.

18. In an indexing device for disposing articles such as shot shells in side-by-side heads-tails sequence, a vertically disposed supporting member, index chamber means carried thereby having side walls, an upper entrance end adapted to receive said articles vertically, and a lower exit end adapted to deliver said articles horizontally, in-

dex means in said chamber adapted to Valternately divert said articles whereby they are delivered in horizontal side-by-side heads-tails se'- quence, inclined guide means arranged below said chamber to receive said articles in horizontai side-by-side heads-tails sequence comprising a pair of members, means mounting said members u on said support for horizontal adjustment move- 'z ment toward and away from. each other to vary the width of said guide means, a pair of side wall members respectively secured t'o the outer'sides of` said pair of guide members extending forwardly from said guide members to provide downwardly extending passage means at the for- Ward ends of said guide members, inclined track means comprising a pair of track members respectively secured` to the forward ends of said side wall members in forwardly spaced and downwardly odset relation to the forward endsl of said guide members, and weight releasable article supporting meansl constituting the bottom -of said downwardly extending passage means, arranged contiguous to said track means adapted to receive and support said articles singly in their transition to said track means, and being releasable upon the imposition thereon ofweight in excess of a single article whereby said articles are released in pairs during impedance of the flow of said articles on said trackl means.

CLARENCE E. GASKILL. HARVEY J, HacKMAN.

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